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Usually, in my experience, only if you request it.
Sometimes there are "constructive comment" threads here in General Stamping. If you post, the person to reply to you will check out your gallery and offer constructive comments, then the next person to post checks out their gallery... etc.
I did get an odd comment on a card once... something like "this is too much." Not really sure what she meant by it, but I like to think it was positive LOL!!
As Nancy said, there is a Constructive Criticism thread somewhere, and I think if you put it in your signature it makes people more aware too. I sometimes specifically ask for input and usually at least a couple of people respond with their opinion. Personally, unless people specifically ask I'm with Bugga's grandma .
Rarely do people ever post a negative comment. I've seen a few, but they are far and few between. There is always something beautiful about every card! Like the others said, if you're looking for constructive critique, the best place to ask would be in the forum!
I've left suggestions for changing up a card but ONLY if the person posting to the gallery has specifically asked for it in the description area. I would never leave a negative comment - even if suggesting changes, there is always something positive to focus on and people tend to react better to what's known as a "feedback sandwich" (good thing/thing to improve/good thing - so it might go something like "The image and sentiment work really well together on this. You might want to think about changing up the ribbon - at the moment it's very visually heavy and stops your eye travelling naturally between the image and the words, you could try using a lighter weight or colour or maybe moving it below the main panel. I love the way you pulled the colours from the DP to colour her outfit, looks great!").
If the person didn't ask for input and I really can't think of anything nice to say then, Bugga's grandma's policy is definitely the one I follow.
This is the perfect time to invoke: Don't Ask/Don't Tell!
My SIL once left a comment on my blog with "suggestions" a/k/a criticism of one of my cards. I was amazed and a little annoyed at myself at how upset I was.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
It's very rare like everyone says. I once made a sort of self depreciating comment on my description and people followed up with suggestions to make it better... I was suprised, but decided to take it as the help that I'm sure was being offered.
I've found that people are genrally kind on here. So if they are thinking something mean about my cards I assume they are just not telling me. haha.
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
I agree, unless you specifically ask for help, you'll only see "nice" comments. Of course occassionally if I see tons of views and no comments I go hmmm.... my card obviously isn't "grabbing" people in a good enough way for them to take the time to comment and it DOES take time. Even a "Nice, TFS" with the website process of posting takes time it can really eat up time. I don't take it badly just realize that it isn't catching THEM enough.
__________________ Christine S.
Last edited by cmesinden; 07-21-2009 at 06:16 AM..
I haven't looked at the galleries but maybe 5-6 times and then only a few screens. Many seem to be for challenges and not for a particular card for a purpose.......someone's birthday, anniversary, sympathy, etc. I like to see personal occasion kinds of cards.
I'd like to see the challenge cards in a separate section so the personal ones could be viewed by themselves easier. (just my opinion)
I have to say that I've only left perhaps 3 comments ever.
I feel a comment is to give your opinion of the card and what you especially like about it. I don't feel a one, two or three word comment is a comment.
Yes, I agree, people are only looking for nice things that people say not anything negative.
I guess the Grandma spoken about in a previous post is best.
I've asked for suggestions on a few cards, and found people to be sincerely helpful and kind. I've also done the feedback sandwich Angelnorth describes a few times WHEN PEOPLE HAVE ASKED for suggestions to improve their card.
Only once did I give advice to someone unsolicited on SCS, and I did that in a PM. The stamper made gorgeous cards but the photos were bad. She wasn't getting many views as a result, and when I saw she commented on how bad her photos were, I PM'd her about the macro setting for close-up photos. She was very appreciative.
My DH was an Air Force aviator who was merciless in debriefs. But if aviators make mistakes, people can die. With art, the stakes aren't so high, LOL! Grandma's right. Say something nice, or say nothing.
I have had someone (a new poster) leave a rather rude comment on one of my cards telling me how it would look better if I had done this instead of that. I fall into the "if you don't have anything nice to say..." category. I would only leave a constructive comment if the cardmaker requested it (and still try to come across as positive instead of negative). I would hope the lady who posted on my card thought she was being helpful, but I know from experience that the cardmaker might just think you were being rude if it is unsolicited. I would rather comment about what is great in the card because all cards have some great elements and encourage new cardmakers.
I have had someone (a new poster) leave a rather rude comment on one of my cards telling me how it would look better if I had done this instead of that. I fall into the "if you don't have anything nice to say..." category. I would only leave a constructive comment if the cardmaker requested it (and still try to come across as positive instead of negative). I would hope the lady who posted on my card thought she was being helpful, but I know from experience that the cardmaker might just think you were being rude if it is unsolicited. I would rather comment about what is great in the card because all cards have some great elements and encourage new cardmakers.
Gosh, Nikie, that was rude of that person.
I had a daughter-in-law (now Ex, lol) who was famous for speaking her mind. My dd who was only 13 at the time, said, "Well, mom, ____ thinks everybody is entitled to HER opinion." It has kind of become a family joke now.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
The only time I'm tempted to say something "negative" - and thankfully have not had to yet since somebody ahead of me usually does - is when there's a typo on the card and I think I'd like to know if it were me.
I agree with everyone else...I have never left a negative comment...that's not why we share. We like to have someone commend our effort and I am glad to share the commendation!
As for constructive criticism...I hate to even call it that...but yeah when someone specifically asks *what can I do to balance this out?...or what does this need?* I will offer my opinion, but it's still not at all negative!
__________________ Cher No longer stamping...on to bigger things.
Yes, I have had someone leave a very rude and unsolicited comment on one of my cards. I agree with the above posters, "If you don't have anything nice to say . . ."
The only time I'm tempted to say something "negative" - and thankfully have not had to yet since somebody ahead of me usually does - is when there's a typo on the card and I think I'd like to know if it were me.
Similar to what Carebear 5 mentioned, I have let people know if they have a typo that affects gallery sorting. For example if they were doing a challenge and they type SC233 instead of SC223. But I send them a pm instead of leaving it as a comment. That way they can fix it and my feedback is not left there permanently for all to see.
I have seen a few examples of when an unsolicited negative comment has been left. But I think it is always seen as inappropriate by the SCS community.
the wonderfulness of art is that it is in the eye of the beholder. we all see things differently and creatively. i may embrace one color, while someone else may find another color more suitable. to them. comments are hugs on the creativity (my feelings) if they question a technique or paper or watercoloring etc.. then i offer.
we are a gallery full of renoirs, monets, and kindergarteners with crayons(that would be me!) but i enjoy it, and i do it for the sheer pleasure.
so in summary (jeez flappin the gums today ) ~ what one sees the other may not. all in the eye.
__________________ "grandma squared" janice aka *favorites stalker* MY BLOG
I could never say anything negative about anyone's creations unless they asked me to critique it. Everyone has different likes and dislikes so who am I to tell them, something is wrong with their creation.
thats odd... i usually like everyone ELSE'S cards.... it's my own I am critical of
if i had a spelling error, I would want to know, but that's just me and my OCD. But if someone thought my card was ugly.... well, maybe I would not want to know (ignorance is bliss)
-laura s
I did get an odd comment on a card once... something like "this is too much." Not really sure what she meant by it, but I like to think it was positive LOL!!
Oh, no, I leave comments like that, as well as "Stop it!" when I just can't handle the perfection of the card. So take all comments by mtgchic as positive, unless you see something such as, "Worst. Card. Ever."*
Maybe we should start a thread where people can attach individual cards for constructive comments or suggestions. Usually, once I'm done with a card, I'm done, but every so often something isn't coming together the way I would like it and I just throw it in the "cards to complete" drawer, never to be seen again.
Oh, no, I leave comments like that, as well as "Stop it!" when I just can't handle the perfection of the card. So take all comments by mtgchic as positive, unless you see something such as, "Worst. Card. Ever."*
For me, the beauty of all art is in the expression of the person who made it, whether it's a painting, card or a scrap LO, so I tend to see something I like in everything handmade.
__________________ My hubby let's me have all the stamping supplies I can hide.
I KNOW I am not a great stamper, but some of the stuff I make I really like. Once I got a rather rude PM about how to make my card better. I guess I should be glad that the person didn't actually put it in the comment section. I like to get suggestions, but this person was downright rude! Of course, I had to go look at her gallery and (how do I say this politely) her stuff wasn't nearly as nice as one would expect. So, of course I left nasty comments on several of her cards.. JUST KIDDING! Anyway, I'm absolutely of the say something nice school of thought. Why not make someone feel good if you can? It's so easy!
Card Comments??
